January 14, 2013

Shawnee State University student Alexander Bruns, of Middletown, Ohio, and Jennifer Larrigan, of Wheelersburg, will be traveling to China Spring Semester for student teaching requirements.

Bruns, son of William and Therese Bruns, of Middletown, Ohio, will be teaching children in China beginning in January and he will return in May.

"I am really excited to go to China to learn about and live with another culture," Bruns said. "It's a fantastic opportunity and I am happy to be a part of it."

Larrigan, daughter of Brian Larrigan, of Wheelersburg, is studying fine art with a concentration in visual arts, grades K-12 and she has two minors, art history and Spanish.

"I am a little concerned about the language barrier," Larrigan said. "But I am so excited to experience Chinese culture first hand."

They will be teaching through an exchange program between Shawnee State University and South China Normal University in Guangzhou, China, the capital of Guangdong Province.

SSU has six sister universities where students can go in the exchange program, including Chile, two in China, Germany, Morocco and Spain. SSU also is a member of ISEP, a direct study abroad program that offers 70 study abroad destinations for students.

Students can:

• Develop skills in problem solving;
• Develop foreign language and communication skills;
• Gain geographical, historical, and cultural knowledge;
• Gain an appreciation for and understanding of different cultures;
• Develop confidence and a stronger sense of personal identity; and,
• Make personal and professional contacts around the world.

Participants have the opportunity to travel and experience another culture first-hand, all while earning credits towards a degree.